Healthcare Traveler - January 2009 - (Page 35)

Participating in these missions appeals not only to my sense of adventure, but also to my desire for justice. Painfully, I watched his EKG flat line against a faded black screen. As we let go, the parents ran to embrace their child. Weeping, his mother draped herself over his cold body. The father stood back a few steps, his face contorted in an attempt to maintain a controlled expression. Blinking back tears, I watched as the Mongolian nurses hastily prepared his body with an eerie, practiced efficiency. Through the maze of dingy concrete walls, hopping over gaps of missing flooring, I left the hospital that morning overwhelmed. The night’s events trampled my spirit. How does one justify a child’s death over a lack of supplies? Yet amidst the heartbreak lived sustainable joy. We successfully performed six cardiac surgeries and four reparative catheterizations. Ten children now have a chance to explore the possibilities of a life no longer bound by their handicaps. And several others, who had no idea they even had defects, were diagnosed and are being treated or are listed for repairs. A desire to do more What did the rugged Gobi roads, cold baths, mare’s milk, meals of mutton, and long hours in Mongolia impress upon me? I came away with a renewed outlook on medicine, an intensified appreciation for the resources we often take for granted in the U.S., and an irresistible desire to do more. Thanks to the inherent flexibility of healthcare travel, we all have the opportunity to make a difference, while expanding our personal and professional horizons. I tell other clinicians that traveling offers a fantastic chance to see the world and experience life’s adventures. It enhances your clinical experience by exposing you to alternative approaches to care and different medical cultures, as well as giving you a chance to live in some fascinating places rent-free. What advice would I give to others who wish to begin traveling? Above all else, be flexible. Traveling is like jumping on a treadmill at full speed. Maintaining a positive and friendly attitude will help you go far. Ask lots of questions and be confident in your skills. Being the new person and learning your way around may be challenging, but seeking out the companionship of other travelers helps. They are often instantly simpatico. If you’re interested in utilizing healthcare travel as a way to take part in volunteer efforts abroad, select missions before signing your contracts. This way, you can plan your assignments around your volunteer opportunities. Often, if you know in advance that you are going to be away for a set period, you can write the time off into your contract. » January 2009 Healthcare Traveler 35 Circle Career Card No. 644 http://www.vhcsystems.com http://www.vhcsystems.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - January 2009

Healthcare Traveler - January 2009 Editor’s Desk Contents By the Numbers Paws for Thought Field Notes In a Flash Med Ec-cerpts Dream Destinations Nursing from the Heart Drug Update Professional Update Clinical Tips On Assignment Cityscape Name It Advertiser’s Index Contest Rules When In… It’s in the Bag Dot.com Tax Facts Big Deals Starter’s Kit Going the Distance Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - January 2009

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